I thought Couturier had a lot of jump in his step and showed promise that he can anchor the 2nd line and raise his offensive game to the next level.
- funmaster18

I like him centering Schenn a lot.
Getting a puck carrying skilled natural LW will make that a viable 2nd line in the long term.

I hope Gagner can be an effective bridge to that this year.

I think Laughton/Read could be a decent to v. good basis for the 3rd line from the early results.

That's great.
- jmatchett383

your mom

I'm all for patience but really can't wait to watch Ghost.

Soon enough hopefully.

The 2nd PP if Gagner sticks, feeding pucks on the tape for Ghost one timers...
Oh my!
- Marc D

Speaking of watching Ghost, I don't know why Comcast doesn't pick up the local feed for Phantoms home games and put them on TCN. I would love to watch some of those games on my TV.

Speaking of watching Ghost, I don't know why Comcast doesn't pick up the local feed for Phantoms home games and put it on TCN. I would love to watch some of those games on my TV.
- Feanor

I'll happily second that motion!

your mom
- rinaldo

Is a fantastic person. Thank you.

That would add something to his game, but we can't really afford two penalty magnets in the top 6. Luke has flaws in his game, but I actually like the fact he dishes out a lot of hits without every getting suspended, and rarely gets penalized. Only four minors in 58 games last season.
- Feanor

Definitely that's a good thing.

Kids in junior were legitimately scared to venture within 10-15 feet of him. He seems to have lost that aura of intimidation when he turned pro -- seems so busy second-guessing himself.

I'm not sure I buy into the need for number 1 dman. I think a good supporting cast 1-6 is doable to win. The problem is we have all 4-8 dmen. That doesn't work.
- jmdodgeser4

2015-Duncan Keith
2014-Drew Doughty
2013-Duncan Keith
2012-Drew Doughty
2011-Zdeno Chara
2010-Duncan Keith
2009-Sergei Gonchar*
2008- Lidstrom
2007-Niedermayer/Pronger
2006-Brett Hedican*
2004-Dan Boyle*
2003-Niedermayer
2002-Lidstrom
2001-bourque/Blake
2000-Niedermayer
1999-Sydor*
1998-Lidstrom
1997-Lidstrom
1996-Adam Foote*
1995-Niedermayer
1994-Leetch

Your right, you don't need a number 1 to win, you need a hall of fame calibre number 1 defenseman to win a Stanley cup. Only 5 of the last 21 Stanley cup teams did not have a hall of fame level number 1 defensemen. A hall of fame center might be the only thing you need more.

That's more of a contract and cap issue. Schenn is the better player
- MJL

as of today....I'm not so sure. There are things Schenn does better, but there are also things Manning does that Luke simply can't do.

2015-Duncan Keith
2014-Drew Doughty
2013-Duncan Keith
2012-Drew Doughty
2011-Zdeno Chara
2010-Duncan Keith
2009-Sergei Gonchar*
2008- Lidstrom
2007-Niedermayer/Pronger
2006-Brett Hedican*
2004-Dan Boyle*
2003-Niedermayer
2002-Lidstrom
2001-bourque/Blake
2000-Niedermayer
1999-Sydor*
1998-Lidstrom
1997-Lidstrom
1996-Adam Foote*
1995-Niedermayer
1994-Leetch

Your right, you don't need a number 1 to win, you need a hall of fame calibre number 1 defenseman to win a Stanley cup. Only 5 of the last 21 Stanley cup teams did not have a hall of fame level number 1 defensemen. A hall of fame center might be the only thing you need more.
- psuhockey

What happaned to Sergei Zubov and Sandis Ozolinsh?

What was the potential deal, not sure if I knew that one?
- Daceroni

I remember it being the Flyers 1st and Simmonds but dont remember the rest

2015-Duncan Keith
2014-Drew Doughty
2013-Duncan Keith
2012-Drew Doughty
2011-Zdeno Chara
2010-Duncan Keith
2009-Sergei Gonchar*
2008- Lidstrom
2007-Niedermayer/Pronger
2006-Brett Hedican*
2004-Dan Boyle*
2003-Niedermayer
2002-Lidstrom
2001-bourque/Blake
2000-Niedermayer
1999-Sydor*
1998-Lidstrom
1997-Lidstrom
1996-Adam Foote*
1995-Niedermayer
1994-Leetch

Your right, you don't need a number 1 to win, you need a hall of fame calibre number 1 defenseman to win a Stanley cup. Only 5 of the last 21 Stanley cup teams did not have a hall of fame level number 1 defensemen. A hall of fame center might be the only thing you need more.
- psuhockey

If you look at the teams that did win without, they were nearly all very deep teams with top flight goaltending, and in the case of the 96 Avs, '04 Lightning and '09 Pens, blessed with 2 superstar centers.

The only real outlier are the Canes in 2006. They got good matchups and were that very rare good team that just red hot, especially their goalie, at the right time.

as of today....I'm not so sure. There are things Schenn does better, but there are also things Manning does that Luke simply can't do.
- landros 2

Hmm like skate faster than a turtle?

I'm gonna give my very unpopular views of last night's line up changes. Many may not like it but I'm gonna say it anyway ans I'm gonna 100% stand by it.

After being blown out 7 to 1 and the changes made, I think Vinny should have played last night in the place of White. I like Ryan White a lot but when I see the Schenn switch for Gudas and Manning spot seems safe, I have to wonder how much of a freah start players are getting. Luke Schenn has been fine for example, while others have been a little worse. Last night is a case and point where Gagner and Gudas can bounce back from the preseason. I'm not saying Vinny will do the same but if Vinny gets a game in after a massive blow out, nobody can say he didn't give Vinny a chance, including Vinny himself.

Your right, you don't need a number 1 to win, you need a hall of fame calibre number 1 defenseman to win a Stanley cup. Only 5 of the last 21 Stanley cup teams did not have a hall of fame level number 1 defensemen. A hall of fame center might be the only thing you need more.
- psuhockey

It is different for each team. This team does not need a hall of fame defenseman on the back end. It needs a legitimate top pairing. It already has elite forward talent and goalie talent. That is what is holding this team back. Do those guys get in the hall of fame if they DON'T win a cup?

I remember it being the Flyers 1st and Simmonds but dont remember the rest
- vejim

Something like that, though we'll probably never know the real truth to it. Hexy seems to be one of those GM's that knows how to keep his mouth shut.

On another topic: Has anyone heard any updates regarding Steve Mason today?

If you look at the teams that did win without, they were nearly all very deep teams with top flight goaltending, and in the case of the 96 Avs, '04 Lightning and '09 Pens, blessed with 2 superstar centers.

The only real outlier are the Canes in 2006. They got good matchups and were that very rare good team that just red hot, especially their goalie, at the right time.
- BiggE

They also faced a Cinderella Oilers team who road Chris Pronger and Fernando Pisani to the Finals. If Rolosson hadn't gotten injured, the Canes probably don't win that series.

I remember it being the Flyers 1st and Simmonds but dont remember the rest
- vejim

Ewww that is a tough one as Provorov could be as good maybe in a different way.

On the flip side, he's not alone in needing to bury the chances he gets. It's nice to make one goal stand, but it's not a repeatable formula for success for this team.
- BulliesPhan87

Agreed, but what I saw gave me more faith that he can do it. Just seemed like he had an edge to his game last night.

2015-Duncan Keith
2014-Drew Doughty
2013-Duncan Keith
2012-Drew Doughty
2011-Zdeno Chara
2010-Duncan Keith
2009-Sergei Gonchar*
2008- Lidstrom
2007-Niedermayer/Pronger
2006-Brett Hedican*
2004-Dan Boyle*
2003-Niedermayer
2002-Lidstrom
2001-bourque/Blake
2000-Niedermayer
1999-Sydor*
1998-Lidstrom
1997-Lidstrom
1996-Adam Foote*
1995-Niedermayer
1994-Leetch

Your right, you don't need a number 1 to win, you need a hall of fame calibre number 1 defenseman to win a Stanley cup. Only 5 of the last 21 Stanley cup teams did not have a hall of fame level number 1 defensemen. A hall of fame center might be the only thing you need more.
- psuhockey

Not sure Doughty has quite reached HOF level yet.

I'm gonna give my very unpopular views of last night's line up changes. Many may not like it but I'm gonna say it anyway ans I'm gonna 100% stand by it.

After being blown out 7 to 1 and the changes made, I think Vinny should have played last night in the place of White. I like Ryan White a lot but when I see the Schenn switch for Gudas and Manning spot seems safe, I have to wonder how much of a freah start players are getting. Luke Schenn has been fine for example, while others have been a little worse. Last night is a case and point where Gagner and Gudas can bounce back from the preseason. I'm not saying Vinny will do the same but if Vinny gets a game in after a massive blow out, nobody can say he didn't give Vinny a chance, including Vinny himself.
- SuperSchennBros

Gotta to disagree with you here. White was one of the few guys that actually seemed to give a damn on Saturday while Vinny looked like a completely shot player during most of last season and in the preseason.

I remember it being the Flyers 1st and Simmonds but dont remember the rest
- vejim

There were several rumors. Some included 2014 and 2015 1st...most included schenn and/or coots. Morin + a 1st and read. Coburn. I never saw anything substantial anywhere

Is a fantastic person. Thank you.
- jmatchett383

indeed she is. very accommodative and up for trying new things let me tell you.

as of today....I'm not so sure. There are things Schenn does better, but there are also things Manning does that Luke simply can't do.
- landros 2

Oh yeah!? Let's see Manning bring a return of a 30 goal scoring power forward!

I like him centering Schenn a lot.
Getting a puck carrying skilled natural LW will make that a viable 2nd line in the long term.

I hope Gagner can be an effective bridge to that this year.

I think Laughton/Read could be a decent to v. good basis for the 3rd line from the early results.
- Marc D

I agree. And I like Simmonds on the 3rd line because he adds the grit and net presence. Ideally, they'd move Umberger to the 4th line and bump a guy like VDV to the press box. I think you'd have some real solid depth for the first time in a while.